Frank Rondel
Florida state employees will receive an additional day off in 2026 as the state officially recognizes Presidents Day, previously only observed federally, reports customreceipt.com via Tallahassee. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the measure during a January 30 news conference in Vero Beach, linking the holiday to the state’s plans for America 250, a nationwide celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. DeSantis highlighted that while Presidents Day is federally recognized, Florida had not previously designated it as a state holiday.
Presidents Day, historically known as Washington’s Birthday, is celebrated on the third Monday of February. The holiday honors George Washington, born on February 22, and also traditionally recognizes Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12. According to the National Archives, Washington’s Birthday was the first federal holiday dedicated to an individual’s birth, designated in 1885 for federal employees. The date was later moved to the third Monday in February in 1971 under the Uniform Monday Holiday Law, leading to the popular name Presidents Day, positioned between the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln.
In 2026, Presidents Day falls on Monday, February 16. This will mark the first year Florida officially observes the holiday as a state-recognized day off. The holiday applies to state executive branch agencies and offices, though historically, other branches of government in Florida have often aligned with governor-declared closures. DeSantis emphasized that state employees will benefit from the extra day off, stating that the announcement was well-received by the workforce.
The celebration aligns with America 250, a nationwide initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. The federal Task Force 250, established in January 2025 by then-President Donald Trump, is coordinating national events, while states, including Florida, have created their own 250th anniversary commissions to organize local commemorations.
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